Safety means for ski bindings with vertical bolt



P. UNGER Aug. 26, 1969 SAFETY MEANS FOR SKI BINDINGS WITH VERTICAL BOLT Filed Aug. 16, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet l In van 1? 0 r: 2404 wvqa P. UNGER 3,463,503

' SAFETY MEANS FOR SKI BINDINGS WITH VERTICAL BOLT Aug. 26, 1969 2 Shee ts-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 16. 1967 In van for P1404 0/1/ 5? United States Patent 3,463,503 SAFETY MEANS FOR SKI BINDINGS WITH VERTICAL BOLT Paul Unger, 113 Bruckwiesenstrasse, 8501 Altenberg, near Nuremberg, Germany Filed Aug. 16, 1967, Ser. No. 661,117 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 20, 1966, U 13,026 Int. Cl. A63c 9/08 US. Cl. 28011.35 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Ski binding with safety means comprising a vertical bolt, an element in the form of a housing disposed around the bolt which is rotatable around and longitudinally slidable relative to the bolt and adjustable spring biasing means intermediate the bolt and the element for retaining the binding in latched position up to the application of forward fall forces or lateral torsional forces of predetermined magnitude.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to safety means or devices for ski bindings which are intended for engaging the heel of the ski boot and to release in the event the magnitude of the load or force for which they are adjusted is exceeded, while a part is provided that carries the sole retainer and is displaced in the event of a release action. The safety bindings of this type known heretofore involve the shortcoming of relatively complicated construction and assembly, and therefore they are expensive as well as subject to failure or jamming.

It is an object of the invention to provide a safety binding for engaging the heel, which, while avoiding these shortcomings, will reliably release in the event of a forward fall as well as a lateral twist fall. This involves the additional problem that it must be possible for the skier to separately and accurately adjust the release points or forces for forward or lateral fall.

Accordingly it is a main object of the invention to provide a part in the form of a housing which carries the sole retainer or latch that is pivotable for lateral falls about a vertical bolt or stud which is secured to the sole plate or base plate or the like, and which is also longitudinally displaceable along the bolt or stud for forward fall release, while the spring forces are adjustable in accordance with the desired release tension in a manner known per se. For forward and for twisted or lateral release it is preferable to have a special spring that is separately adjustable. In accordance with a simplified embodiment of the invention the use of a single spring would also be possible.

This heel safety control referred to also as automatic heel release has several advantages. Thus, in a forward fall any frictional engagement between the ski boot and the sole plate, or the ski surface is avoided because the sole latch or retainer that seizes the hook in the event of an overload (forward fall) moves upwardly immediately and therefore makes possible the raising of the shoe from the sole plate or the like. The fastening of the shoe to the binding can be effected either by swinging in the shoe from the side, or in that the binding is engaged from the top. For this purpose, one preferred embodiment of the invention provides for the part which is like a housing, a forwardly projecting plate or stepping surface that serves as a support for the heel. The housing-like part in accordance with the invention is also very easily returned by hand into the operating position.

A particular advantage of this arrangement resides in that while separately adjustable releases for forward and 3,463,503 Patented Aug. 26, 1969 for torsion falls are made possible, it is very simple and robust in its form of construction and. not readily subject to failure. The number of the necessary structural components is very small which correspondingly decreases the production costs. The housing-like part is suitably the actual housing of the binding proper and can be produced economically by injection molding and therefore be made of plastic. Furthermore, the housing can be made in a manner that it surrounds on all sides the parts which constitute the heel release mechanism and therefore affords protection against entrance of ice and snow.

Further advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in longitudinal section;

FIG. 1a is a section taken along line II which shows a modified embodiment of the bolt;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further modified embodiment of the inven tion also in longitudinal section; and

FIG. 4 is a further development of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3 partially in section taken along line IVIV.

The ski 1 or its base plate 2, or the like, has mounted on it a bolt or stud 3. The part 4 which is in the form of a housing (hereinafter referred to merely as housing) is longitudinally slidable relative to this bolt 3 and pivotally movable. For this purpose a sliding sleeve 5, made preferably of steel, can be fastened in the housing, for eX- ample, by pressing.

A sole retainer 6 which can preferably be adjustable in height, which in the position of operation engages the upper edge 7 of the rearward part of the sole or boot and thus retains the boot, the heel of which is identified at 8. The housing 4 thus has the function of a pressure member which effects the release of the boot under application of suitable pressure, while the bolt or stud 3 serves as a .stop or latch. At the same time, the point of the boot can advantageously be held by a very simple front jaw because all protection devices against fall are provided by the heel release mechanism.

Thus in the event of an excessive forward load, i.e. forward fall, the housing 4 is pusher upwardly along bolt 3 against the effect of the vertical latch means which include the spring 9, while with an excessive torsion force, such as a twisted fall, it swings about the bolt 3 against the effect of the pivot latch means which include the spring 10. The springs 9, 10 which are separately adjustable by adjusting members 11, 12 respectively force suitable ratchet means such as balls 13, 14 into recesses in the bolt 3. The recesses may, in accordance with this embodiment, be defined by an annular groove 15 and a longitudinal groove 16. The groove 16 is made so long that the ball 14 can move sufliciently upwardly in the event of a forward fall release. In this event the ball 13 is pressed out of the annular groove 15 into the guiding cylinder of the spring 9 so that the housing 4 can be displaced upwardly along the bolt and thus free the boot.

In the event of a torsional or twist release, however, the ball 14 is pushed out of the groove 16 into the guid ing cylinder for the spring 10 so that the housing 4 can move pivotally. For this purpose, the recess or groove 15 in accordance with FIG. 1, or the part of the bolt provided there, is so constructed that also the ball 13 can yield laterally. This is already made possible by the use of the aforementioned annular groove 15.

In addition as shown in FIG. 1a, the part 3' of the belt which forms the counter-bearing for the ball 13 could have such a cross section that the ball with pivotal movement of the housing moves out of the range of the effective counter-bearing surface. In this connection there may be lateral cavities or flattening, or the like, as indicated at 17, along which the ball 13 can slide. The location of this cavity or flattening 17 is indicated in dot and dash lines in FIG. 1. Here, with a torsion release, also the housing is automatically freed in longitudinal direction. Since the permissible forward load is normally greater than the permissible torsion load, it is advisable to have the diameter of the ball 13 and the force of the counter spring 9 correspondingly larger than the diameter of the ball 14 and the force of the spring 10.

The sole holder 6 is in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention linked to the housing 4 as at 18, and after a forward fall release as well as corresponding upwardsliding of the housing can be moved pivotally in the direction of the end of the ski. For this purpose, it may have. a nose 19 which when the forward fall safety element is not released rests against the upper end 3" of the bolt, but overreaches this bolt end after release and shifting of the housing as indicated in dot and dash lines. This displaceable arrangement of the sole retainer has the advantage that already with the upward shifting of the housing by a small amount a faultless release of the hook is achieved whereby the structural height of the entire heel release mechanism is correspondingly reduced. In order to facilitate the sliding of the sole retainer along the bolt, a roller 20 may be provided between these two parts which is preferably secured to the nose 19 of the sole retainer. As the housing is pulled up by the boot, the sole retainer supports itself on the bolt by way of the roller. The roller rolls on the bolt upwardly until it has reached its upper cap and the sole retainer swings by an angle of about 90 over the bolt and fully frees the boot. If need be, an additional spring (not shown) can be introduced between the sole retainer and the housing which has the tendency to press it against the upper edge of the heel and thus into position of operation.

It is advisable to construct the housing in such a manner that it extends over the bolt from the top and covers it. Where the sole catch 6 is pivotally arranged the side wall of the housing must be provided with an aperture, for example, a slot for the lug or nose of the sole catch. In lieu of this the aperture above the bolt may, as illustrated, also be covered by a flap of plastic material or the like.

A forwardly facing step plate 21 which serves as a support for the heel is provided on the housing. This plate serves simultaneously as a stepping plate for returning the housing after a forward fall release against the force of the spring to position of use, where the heel safety release presses the boot firmly against the forward jaw or the like. In this connection the sole catch 6 swings automatically from the release position (dash and dot lines, FIG. 1) into the position of use (solid lines). To facilitate this its bottom side may be provided with a rearwardly and upwardly extending inclined surface 6. However, if the housing 4 has been turned laterally due to a torsion release, the heel is introduced from the side and swung into position of use together with the housing. In order to reduce the frictional forces also for the torsion or lateral release, the lateral checks 4' of the housing may be provided with rollers 22 (FIG. 2). Furthermore, holders 23 for the long strap may be provided.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified embodiment of the catch means. In this modification only a ball 24 is provided which engages a cap shaped recess 25 in the bolt 3 and thus serves as a lateral or rotational as well as a forward fall guard. In this case the counter forces cannot be ad justed separately because only a single pressure or biasing spring 26 is provided.

FIG. 4 shows still a further development of the embodimentin accordance with FIG. 3. In the surface of the stud or bolt 3 a recess or annular groove 27 is provided which extends completely or partly about its circumference in which the indentation 25 for the accommodation of the ball 24 is located. By means of thisarrangement it is accomplished that the-release force for the lateral or torsion fall is smaller than for therforward fall, because in the first case. the ball must merely be pressed out of the recess 25. Fora forward fall however, the ball has to be displaced" by an amount-corresponding to the depth of the indentation or recess 25 and the depth of the groove 27.

It is apparent, that theinvention can also be realized with other catch means than balls.

To make it possible after skiing to release theaboot from the ski a release lever 28 is. provided which is pivotably supported on the housing or on the base plate. It has one arm that extends .rearwardly from thesafety release mechanism where. it has an indentation for seating the point of the ski pole. .As soon as this end of .the lever 28 is pressed down, itsother end engages the catch ball for the forward fall and displaces the ball far enough'to permit the housing to slide upwardly. It is, of course, understood that this lever canalso be employed inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, la and 2.

In order to prevent in the case of a forward fall, or after such a fall, that the housing is raised too far or is completely disengaged from the. bolt, additional means can be provided, such as latches or abutments which limit the lifting movement of the housing.

Having now described my invention with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, what I desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: j

1. Safety means for ski binding. applicable to the heel of a ski boot and releasablein response to a load or force of adjustable magnitude, said means comprising a stationary and generally vertical bolt, a plate secured to the ski proximate the location where the heel of the ski boot is retained, said bolt being secured to the ski by means of said plate, a pressure member defining a housing disposed around said bolt, a sole retainer mounted on said pressure member for engaging the sole of the boot proximate the heel, said pressure member being pivotally and longitudinally movable relative to said bolt and adjustable spring loaded latch means in engagement with said bolt and enclosed in said housing for, retaining said pressure member in latched position against vertical and pivotal movement relative to said bolt.

2. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 where said sole retainer is pivotally linked to said pressure member and said pressure member defines a slot at its upper end for guiding said sole retainer in a manner to yield first upwardly and then rearwardly with respect to the ski.

3. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 2 including a nose member on said sole retainer guided in said slot and having engagement with the'upper end of the bolt for the latched position of the device and extending over the upper end of the bolt in the released position when said pressure memberis displaced upwardly.

4. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim3 where said nose member of the sole retainer presents an upwardly and rearwardly inclined lower surface, whereby during return movement of the pressure member into position of use said sole retainer returns automatically into latching position.

5. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 4 where a roller is disposed between said sole retainer andsaid bolt which in position of use and during release rests against said bolt.

6. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 5 including a step plate disposed proximate the lower'end of said pressure member for supporting the heel of the boot.

7. Safety binding in accordance with claim 1 including a sleeve disposed between said bolt and said pressure member and secured to said pressure member.

8. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 where said bolt is provided with a longitudinally extending groove and a latch means comprising a ball, extending into said groove between said bolt and said housing defined by said pressure member and adjustable Spring means are disposed in said pressure member for biasing said ball into engagement with said bolt to latch said binding against lateral fall forces.

9. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 where as a safety means against forward fall said bolt is provided with at least one recess proximate the lower end thereof a ball defining, a latching means is received in said recess and adjustable spring means are disposed in said pressure member for biasing said latching means toward said bolt.

10. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 9, where two longitudinally extending recesses are defined in adjacent sides of said bolt for engagement by said ball in the pivotally turned positions of said pressure member and an engagement surface for the latch means is defined intermediate said two recesses, said recesses being elongated thereby permitting pivotal movement and sliding movement of said pressure member.

11. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 9 where said at least one recess extends circumferentially of said bolt permitting pivotal movement of said pressure member in the event of lateral falls and a further groove extends vertically over said bolt and through said recess to permit release in the event of forward fall.

12. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 where said bolt is provided with a longitudinal groove proximate its upper end, first latching means including a ball are disposed in said groove and said spring means are disposed in said pressure member biasing said ball means into engagement with said bolt, and a recess is provided in said bolt proximate the lower end thereof, a second latching means including a ball is received in said recess and spring biasing means are disposed in said pressure member proximate said second latching means for biasing said second latching means into engagement with said bolt.

13. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 12 where said second latching means is of greater diameter than said first latching means.

14. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 where said pressure member extends over and covers the upper end of said bolt.

15. Safety means for ski binding in accordance with claim 1 including a release lever having two arms pivo tally supported intermediate said arms proximate the lower end of said pressure member, one said arm being in engagement with said spring loaded latch means and the other said arm extending rearwardly toward the end of the ski and being adapted to be pressed down by the end of a ski pole to raise said other arm and release said latch means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,201,140 8/1965 Marker 280-1135 3,291,499 12/1966 Artru 28011.35 3,343,846 9/1967 Toki 280-1135 FOREIGN PATENTS Ad. 55,685 9/ 1952 France. 1,217,631 12/1959 France.

BENJAMIN HERSH, Primary Examiner J. A. PEKAR, Assistant Examiner 

